GB/UKNI Type Approval Now Mandatory for M and N Vehicle Types in Great Britain
Full GB or UKNI type approval becomes mandatory from 1 February 2026 for all M and N category vehicles sold in Great Britain.
- 1 February 2026
- 31 December 2026
- 31 December 2027
What Happened
From 1 February 2026, all M and N category vehicle types manufactured for sale in Great Britain must hold full GB or UKNI type approval (g11 or n11). This completes the transition from provisional arrangements to the full GB type approval scheme for these categories. Provisional GB approvals (p??) are no longer valid, and the Technical Service designation framework for GB is now active. VCA thanks manufacturers, Technical Services and industry partners for their engagement in the lead-up to implementation.
Full GB/UKNI type approval becomes mandatory for M and N category vehicles in Great Britain; provisional approvals (p??) cease to be valid.
Deadline for test reports from EU-designated Technical Services to be accepted for M and N categories.
Deadline for test reports from EU-designated Technical Services to be accepted for O category.
- Provisional GB approvals (p??) are no longer valid for M & N category vehicle types.
- Full GB or UKNI type approval (g11 or n11) is required to manufacture vehicles for the GB market.
- For a time-limited period, VCA can accept test reports from EU-designated Technical Services: on or before 31 December 2026 for M & N categories, and on or before 31 December 2027 for O category.
- If you already hold full GB or UKNI approval: continue to manufacture and place vehicles on the GB market in line with your approval and ongoing compliance duties.
- If your application is in progress: VCA will continue processing it within usual timescales; ensure your submission contains the required GB information document and supporting evidence set out in VCA
- If you have not yet applied: begin your application as soon as possible using the VCA digital portal.
- Review requirements on the VCA website.
- Start your application through the digital portal.
- Email [email protected] for direct assistance.
- Access detailed guidance, help via the contact form, webinars, and information on Technical Service designations and testing routes.
Why this matters
This matters because type approval is the legal certification required to manufacture vehicles for the Great Britain market. After today, provisional approvals no longer count for M and N categories, so affected manufacturers must hold full GB/UKNI approval (g11 or n11). VCA will accept EU-issued test reports only until the end of 2026 for M and N categories and 2027 for O category, creating tight deadlines for remaining applications.
Terms in This Story
- type approval
- A legal certification that a vehicle type meets required standards, allowing it to be manufactured and sold.
- GB/UKNI type approval
- Type approval valid for the Great Britain market under UK rules.
- M and N categories
- Vehicle categories used in type approval regulations; M typically covers passenger vehicles and N covers goods vehicles.
- Technical Service
- An organization designated to test and assess vehicles for type approval.
Summarised from the linked release; details can be imperfect — always verify against the original source.